The National Endowment for Democracy Targets Cuba with $6.6 Million in 2025

By Camila Escalante on May 15, 2025

The Trump-Rubio regime is lifting restrictions and will restore funds to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) towards foreign interference in countries such as Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Washington is continuing its permanent political interference campaign in Cuba, through the resumption of funding of active projects financed by the NED.

The U.S. government is lifting restrictions and restoring funding to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and its foreign interference projects globally, following a temporary hold on funds announced in January. According to a statement on its website, the NED regained access to congressionally appropriated funds that had been unavailable since late January, allowing the agency to fully continue its mission to undermine, coerce, and work towards the overthrow of foreign governments around the world.

According to its website, the NED approved funding for 46 projects in Cuba—amounting to $6.6 million approved in 2024—the highest total for any country in Latin America and the Caribbean. Venezuela, Mexico and Nicaragua follow as the countries with the most spending by the NED’s operations, though it should be noted that the spending in Nicaragua and Cuba is significant, especially considering their smaller populations and economies.

Though $6.6 million was approved in 2024, the NED states that it “administers grants through multiple award mechanisms and timelines crossing over fiscal years”, thus other operations related to Cuba which had been approved in previous years, may still be active today.

The NED describes Cuba as “a long-standing NED priority” in a recently-posted overview of its operations in Latin America:

“NED’s strategy focuses on liberalizing Cuba’s closed political system by strengthening the capacity of democracy advocates and expanding civic space as an alternative to totalitarian rule. Key objectives include enhancing access to independent, pluralistic information to foster a more well-informed, critically minded citizenry; supporting freedom advocates to protect victims of repression and demand accountability; and fostering solidarity and engagement with Cuban pro-democracy activists in Latin America to build regional and international momentum for Cuban democracy and human rights.“

A separate NED publication lists 46 projects approved by NED in fiscal year 2024 with active grant agreements as of January 15, 2025. The list, as provided on the organization’s website, follows. Numbers inside the circles denote the length of the grant in months.

Supporting Human Rights Defenders Facing Repression ⑫
$ 100,000
To strengthen resilience among those activists, political prisoners and their families facing repression,
the organization will distribute humanitarian assistance in partnership with local groups while
providing human rights defenders with tools to document country conditions and convey information
to external organizations and international actors.

Promoting Social Cohesion and an Active Citizenry ⑲
$ 159,364
To promote citizenship, social cohesion, and community engagement while providing independent
information about local and international issues, the project will support a group that collects and
documents community concerns to present before local authorities while producing a newsletter that
raises awareness of these challenges and connects citizens with its accountability initiatives.

Documenting and Reporting Human Rights Violations ⑫
$ 247,760
To counter human rights violations, the organization will document and report violations to regional
and international bodies, analyze data to identify patterns, provide legal assistance to victims,
conduct international advocacy, train activists on human rights mechanisms and self-protection, and
support a coalition of organizations to raise awareness of human rights violations against women.

Raising Awareness of Human Rights Violations in Prisons ⑫
$ 101,000
To raise international awareness of human rights violations in prisons, the organization will
investigate, monitor, and document prison conditions, compare prison conditions against international
standards, disseminate findings through monthly articles and report violations to relevant human
rights bodies.

Raising Awareness of Threats to Journalists and Freedom of Expression ⑫
$ 175,900
To raise awareness among the international community about violations to freedom of expression,
the organization will track threats against journalists for international advocacy purposes while
training them to document violations, strengthening support mechanisms, and convening regional
media groups to discuss shared threats and promote collaboration among journalists from across the
region.

Strengthening Independent Entrepreneurship Communities ⑫
$ 82,037
To strengthen independent entrepreneurship communities in authoritarian contexts, the organization
will train small independent businesses association leaders on empowerment, leadership, and civic
campaign preparation; facilitate exchanges with union leaders from similar authoritarian contexts;
and open civic and entrepreneurship centers to provide services for self-employed workers and serve
as a hub for recruitment and organizing.

Promoting Freedom of Expression ⑯
$ 230,000
To promote freedom of information by producing and sharing independent content through a digital
media outlet, the organization will publish articles, opinion pieces, podcasts, and videos analyzing
key developments in the country while advocating for expanded civic space and proposing peaceful
solutions to the country’s ongoing crises.

Supporting Community Hubs for Civic Participation and Entrepreneurship ⑫
$ 139,464
To strengthen a network of five community centers as hubs for civic engagement and public debate,
the organization will facilitate dialogues and forums with civil society experts and community
members on key public issues, and offer entrepreneurship classes, mentoring, and networking
opportunities to support economic and social resilience.

Raising Regional Awareness of Cuba ⑫
$ 126,990
To promote greater dialogue among Latin American thought leaders and democratic actors and raise
regional awareness about the political, social, and economic situation in the country, the organization
will publish independent research and analysis, present it at a regional conference, and provide a
platform for pro-democracy actors to debate and educate their regional peers on contemporary
issues facing the country.

Defending and Strengthening Freedom of Expression ⑫
$ 175,000
To strengthen the resiliency of recently exiled artists and raise international awareness of artistic
repression on the island, the organization will provide fellowships, training, and mentoring to help
artists continue their work, influence cultural discourse, and adapt to new environments, while
conducting advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns in support of artistic freedom.
denotes the length of the grant in months.

Promoting International Solidarity with Democracy Activists ⑫
$ 100,000
To promote international solidarity with pro-democracy activists and political prisoners, the
organization will advocate for specific supportive interventions from the diplomatic community, carry
out campaigns to raise awareness about the plights of political prisoners, provide support to political
prisoners’ families, and publish articles from prominent figures in regional media outlets.

Giving Voice to the Diaspora Community in Latin America to Advocate for Democracy ㉑
$ 104,144
To raise awareness of the regional democracy struggle while building diaspora networks, the
organization will host convenings and workshops that mobilize community members to educate
others about government authoritarianism while formalizing its organizing methodology to expand
regionally and collaborate on transnational human rights campaigns.

Exposing Political Manipulation of Economic and Social Rights ⑬
$ 224,084
To monitor and raise awareness of social, economic, and cultural rights with a focus on food security
and elderly rights, the organization will conduct research and produce analytical publications and
audiovisual materials while submitting reports to international human rights bodies and fostering
dialogue among experts, media, and activists to promote informed debate on its findings.

Exposing Authoritarian Influence in Latin American Academic Institutions ⑬
$ 85,875
To raise awareness among Latin American academics about the country’s authoritarian influence
strategies, the organization will monitor the regime’s efforts to shape academic, intellectual, and civil
society spaces; produce and disseminate findings through research publications, regional academic
forums, and civil society collaborations; and support other initiatives through training and capacity-
building efforts.

Raising Public Awareness of Digital Repression ⑫
$ 75,000
To raise awareness about threats to internet freedom and the abuse of human rights online, the
organization will publish news articles analyzing the regime’s digital authoritarian practices, leverage
data, statistics, and visual storytelling to illustrate the negative effects, and develop investigative
journalism and audiovisual content to engage deepen public understanding of these issues.

Strengthening Democratic Values ⑬
$ 153,621
To promote critical thinking, access to information, and independent writing, the organization will
produce digital publications on cultural and artistic developments, expand its digital archive of local
and regional history and art, and engage regional cultural and academic circles by hosting online
discussions and fostering collaborations with peer organizations and universities.

Promoting Access to Independent Legal Analysis and Assistance ⑫
$ 163,675
To promote access to information and independent analysis on legal issues, the organization will
provide coverage and analysis of key events, utilize creative content such as videos, podcasts,
illustrations, and comics, maintain a platform to educate the public on legal issues, and provide legal
consultations.

Raising International Awareness of Human Rights Violations ⑫
$ 203,000
To raise international awareness of the human rights situation, the organization will collect data and
analyze trends regarding violations while drafting evidence-based reports for international advocacy
to hold the government accountable and improve conditions on the island, alongside supporting
community projects that promote civic values.

Promoting Access to Public Information and Freedom of Expression ⑫
$ 84,966
To promote the right to access public information and freedom of expression and expose violations to
these rights, the organization and its country partners will produce regional reports analyzing
transparency and freedom of expression performance while presenting findings to activists, experts,
and human rights officials and collaborating with independent media on public awareness campaigns
that highlight how these rights impact daily life.

Promoting Democratization Through Dialogue ⑫
$ 108,300
To foster evidence-based dialogue within civil society on challenges to democratization, the
organization will conduct research, develop proposals to address key democratic challenges, engage
scholars and civil society actors for feedback, and disseminate its findings through meetings with
international stakeholders, online discussions, and public launch events.

Promoting Civic Education Through Independent Cultural Expression ⑫
$ 57,861
To promote democratic values, independent thought, and cultural expression free from government
censorship, the organization will strengthen citizen leadership through civic education initiatives and
workshops on rights and leadership while publishing books, producing a podcast on democratic
principles, and enabling artists and creative professionals in their network to share work that fosters
dialogue on civic engagement and action.

Monitoring the Economy and Informing Civic Debate ㉔
$ 176,400
To raise awareness and inform civic debate on the island’s economic situation, the organization will
establish an observatory on the government’s economy to analyze trends and propose political and
economic alternatives to the crisis while presenting research at academic conferences, sharing
analysis with the public, and facilitating courses for students, activists, and researchers.
denotes the length of the grant in months.

Empowering Citizens Through Community Journalism ⑫
$ 176,741
To promote greater access to uncensored information in local communities, the organization will
provide six independent micro-press agencies with equipment and technical assistance to produce
and distribute news bulletins for community residents.

Fostering Independent Thought and Protecting Cultural Rights ⑫
$ 185,550
To promote greater freedom of expression and independent writing, the organization will distribute
books on censored topics, publish a digital magazine on socio-cultural issues, encourage
independent writing through submissions and online events, and monitor and defend the rights of
politically persecuted or imprisoned artists.

Strengthening Access to Information ㉔
$ 80,000
To enhance access to information and promote critical thinking, the organization will produce daily
reporting and analysis across various formats, providing independent perspectives on issues
affecting citizens’ daily lives, including freedom of expression, public safety, human rights, and other
pressing social concerns.

Fostering Exchange, Support, and Collaboration to Strengthen Media ⑫
$ 125,000
To connect independent media outlets with their peers in the region and position them as key voices
in the Spanish-speaking media landscape, the organization will facilitate conferences, discussions,
and collaborative spaces, provide tailored support to strengthen publications, foster cross-border
partnerships, and host a gathering of media directors to showcase projects and address regional
issues.

Raising Awareness of Undemocratic Political Processes ⑫
$ 96,700
To raise awareness of the undemocratic nature of the regime and its impact on democracy in the
region, the organization will produce research materials on the government’s authoritarian practices,
present them at regional forums for civil society and academia, and empower civil society groups
seeking to raise awareness of the undemocratic role of the legislature.

Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Religion and Belief ㉔
$ 135,893
To strengthen the capacity of human rights defenders to document and raise awareness of religious
freedom violations, the organization will train religious freedom activists and support a network of
defenders who document cases while utilizing this evidence to conduct advocacy within international
legal and human rights bodies and raise awareness of threats to freedom of religion and belief.

Promoting Greater Access to Information for Pro-Democracy Activists ⑥
$ 325,000
To promote greater access to credible information and facilitate communication among activists
inside and outside the island, the organization will produce and broadcast independent news via its
radio station and support civic activities carried out by civil society activists.
denotes the length of the grant in months.

Spurring Debate and Awareness on the Rise of Oligarchic Actors ⑳
$ 250,000
To raise awareness on the oligarchic nature of the regime and promote consensus building among
civil society on democracy strategies, the organization will conduct research and publish reports on
the regime’s oligarchic evolution and its impact on citizens; disseminate findings through media and
public events; and work with various civil society actors to consolidate a pro-democracy agenda
based on common objectives and values.

Expanding Access to Uncensored Media ⑩
$ 115,000
To promote independent information, the organization will provide narrative journalism on censored
topics, conduct investigations, and produce in-depth articles, photo essays, and opinion pieces while
strengthening the media’s operational capacity.

Promoting Freedom of Expression ⑩
$ 78,130
To promote freedom of expression and association and raise regional awareness of related threats,
the organization will support independent advocacy initiatives and help disseminate their work to the
broader public while connecting exiled artists with regional counterparts and academics to highlight
obstacles to freedom of expression.

Supporting Freedom of Expression ⑧
$ 110,000
To strengthen artists’ ability to collaborate and advocate for those facing repression, the organization
will support independent artists through training, digital tools, and mentoring while engaging in a
transnational network that promotes freedom of expression and connects artists with regional peers
to foster cross-border solidarity in defense of human rights.

Strengthening Independent Labor and Promoting Freedom of Association ⑧
$ 230,000
To enhance global awareness and solidarity with independent labor organizations and strengthen the
capacity of independent labor activists and self-employed workers, the organization will gather data
and submit reports on labor rights violations to international institutions, and provide technical
assistance to unions to strengthen their documentation and advocacy efforts.

Providing an Independent Platform for Cultural Creators ⑩
$ 68,990
To strengthen the role of independent cultural creators as promoters of freedom of expression and
information, the organization will publish materials from independent writers, artists, and thinkers to
preserve historical memory, combat censorship, and stimulate cultural and political discussions;
sponsor a visual art initiative focused on civic activism and contests for literary works and films.
denotes the length of the grant in months.

Advocating for Human Rights ⑫
$ 155,000
To tackle impunity for human rights violations and strengthen citizens’ capacity to resolve conflicts
peacefully, the organization will support partners to document violations, enhance an observatory for
social conflict cases, collaborate with community activists, and publish a weekly newsletter, special
reports, and audiovisual materials to raise awareness.

Supporting Independent Media ⑫
$ 184,000
To provide coverage of cultural and artistic issues and raise awareness about violence against
women, the organization will support independent journalists and writers to publish in two online
magazines, and manage an observatory to monitor and report on violence against women and
related issues.

Promoting Debate and Reflection for a Democratic Opening ㉔
$ 130,000
To strengthen a network of independent thinkers working to advance a democratic opening in an
authoritarian regime, the organization will publish studies and analysis on the country’s economic,
social, and political situation, and collaborate with civil society organizations and experts on public
events, campaigns, and academic panels.

Strengthening Advocacy for Free Expression and Rights ㉔
$ 74,950
To promote human rights and document government practices affecting politically repressed
communities, the organization will publish reports, raise public and international awareness, and
conduct workshops and discussions with the artistic community on human rights and economic
prosperity.

Core Institute
Center for International Private Enterprise
Empowering Entrepreneurs to Advance Democracy, Human Rights, and Prosperity ⑬
$ 439,199
To strengthen emergent associations and provide reliable information about the economy to national
and international actors, the Center will support efforts of local nascent civil society organizations and
provide reliable independent information about the Cuban economy.

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
Promoting Data-Driven Advocacy for Democratic Reform ⑫
$ 500,000
To strengthen the advocacy capacity of civil society organizations, activists, and relevant actors on
the island and in exile, the Institute will support a polling firm to conduct large-scale research panels,
foster strategic alliances in academia and journalism, train civil society organizations and activists to
analyze survey results, and develop strategic advocacy efforts to enhance their visibility and
legitimacy in advancing pro-democracy reforms.

Despite that this partial and vague information has been made available on the NED’s website in recent weeks, the NED has a policy of not publicly disclosing the list of organizations, propaganda outlets, and opposition groups it is funding.

The government of Cuba has on many occasions denounced U.S. interference in Cuba through entities such as USAID and NED.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has said that Cuba is well aware of the destabilizing activities by the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and its interference in the internal affairs of other countries. Rodríguez noted that since 2017, the NED has financed 54 anti-Cuba organizations, while some quantity of people have enriched themselves by organizing destabilization and terrorism against Cuba.

Cuba has repeatedly denounced the use of USAID and other organizations presented as humanitarian or in defense of democracy, as fronts to penetrate and undermine societies, impose colonial values ​​and customs, as well as manipulate or outright control local elites and the press, with the aim of strengthening U.S. hegemony.

In February, Cuba took to the UN Human Rights Council to denounce U.S. operations:

“Recently, copious evidence has been released about the practice of the United States government of dedicating millionaire funds from the federal budget, through entities such as USAID and the NED, to finance organizations, press media, artificial intelligence laboratories, and communication platforms that use the protection of human rights and the promotion of democracy as a facade, while responding to the political objectives of that government. This is a serious and relevant issue for this Council and its mandate, as it demonstrates the double standards and opportunism with which the issue of human rights has been used to subvert sovereign governments.“

The NED reports funding $40,951,769 in operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, spread across 262 projects. In addition to the $6.6 million targeting Cuba’s Revolution and government, another $9.3 million is listed as ‘Latin America and Caribbean Regional’, that is, destined for not one specific country but rather the region in general.

An incalculable amount of financial resources has also been dedicated to the creation and dissemination of propaganda and disinformation worldwide, about Cuba’s medical cooperation programs. Outrageously false claims by Secretary of State Marco Rubio were met with a major backlash from a long list of Caribbean and Latin American countries in response.

The United States continues to maintain a genocidal economic, commercial and financial blockade on Cuba which has been rejected 32 times by the UN General Assembly, most recently in October 2024 when 187 member states called for its definitive end, with only the United States and Israel voting against. The Trump administration returned Cuba back to the U.S. State Sponsor Of Terrorism list in January and continues to illegally occupy Cuban territory in Guantanamo with the U.S. naval base.

Source: Kawsachun News